Free Meningitis shots in school

PRESTON, Minn. — The disease can cause a loss of arms or legs, nervous system damage and much more, but it can be prevented with a simple shot.

Meningococcal disease impacts the brain, spinal cord or blood.

Now Fillmore County Public Health is traveling to area schools offering free meningitis shots to students in grades six through 12.

“Take advantage of that when you go into doctor’s appointments as much as possible and certainly take advantage of this opportunity as well because it’s a free vaccine and we’re coming to your school so your child doesn’t have to miss a day and you don’t have to make an appointment and you don’t have to get your insurance billed,” said Brenda Pohlman with Fillmore County Public Health.

She said it is also important to get them done sooner than later.

“This next fall the school immunization law is going to change. It’s going to require Meningococcal or Meningitis vaccination for sixth grade and make it a recommendation that schools also require it for their policies that seventh through twelfth grade will have to have it,” Pohlman said.

They were at the Mabel-Canton school district Friday and have a few more stops that go into April. For more information on how your student can take part, visit Fillmore County Public Health’s website.